UW News
The latest news from the UW
March 3, 2014
UW astronomer Eric Agol’s seven-planet system part of major NASA discovery
UW astronomer Eric Agol played a key role in the windfall of 715 new exoplanets recently announced by NASA. Agol was on a team that found seven of those worlds, all in orbit around the same star.
Tag(s): astronomy & astrophysics • Department of Astronomy • Eric Agol • planetary scienceFebruary 27, 2014
Kenyon Chan named interim chancellor at University of Washington Tacoma
Kenyon Chan, former chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell, has been named interim chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma.
Battery-free technology brings gesture recognition to all devices
University of Washington computer scientists have built a low-cost gesture recognition system that runs without batteries and lets users control their electronic devices hidden from sight with simple hand movements. The prototype, called “AllSee,” uses existing TV signals as both a power source and the means for detecting a user’s gesture command.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Shyam GollakotaFebruary 26, 2014
Arts Roundup: Exhibits, dance — and ‘The Arabian Nights’
Exhibit openings, music, theater and dance performances fill this especially busy week in the arts.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Henry Art Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Drama • School of Music • Undergraduate Theater Society
Pine forest particles appear out of thin air, influence climate
German, Finnish and U.S. scientists have discovered how gas wafting from coniferous trees creates particles that can reflect sunlight or promote formation of clouds.
Tag(s): climate • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • forests • Joel Thornton
Whales, ships more common through Bering Strait
A three-year survey of whales in the Bering Strait reveals that many species of whales are using the narrow waterway, while shipping and commercial traffic also increase.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • Kate Stafford • oceanography • polar science • whalesFebruary 25, 2014
Joel Migdal book ‘Shifting Sands’ considers American role in Middle East
Migdal, UW professor of international studies, discusses his latest book, “Shifting Sands: The United States in the Middle East.”
Tag(s): books • College of Arts & Sciences • Jackson School of International Studies • Joel Migdal • Q&AFebruary 24, 2014
Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence opens with lecture on changing culture of aging
The University of Washington’s School of Social Work will launch a new center – called the Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence in Geriatric Social Work – with a public lecture and reception Thursday, Feb. 27.
Tag(s): School of Social Work
News Digest: Justice Sotomayor visit, donate frequent flyer miles
Tickets available starting Tuesday for Justice Sotomayor visit || Donate frequent flyer miles to UW Combined Fund Drive, Make-A-Wish
Vitamin water: Measuring essential nutrients in the ocean
Oceanographers have found that archaea, a type of marine microbe, can produce B-12 vitamins in the ocean.
Tag(s): Anitra Ingalls • College of the Environment • marine microbiology • oceanography • School of OceanographyFebruary 21, 2014
News Digest; Literary conference; Honor: Classics department
Writers to gather in Seattle for literary conference || Classics department wins new award for professional equity
February 20, 2014
Notice of Possible Rule Making — Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (per RCW 34.05.310)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 478-136-041, Alcoholic Beverage Policy, and WAC 478-137-050, Limitations on Use Statutes Authorizing the University to Adopt Rules on This Subject: RCW 28B.20.130. Reasons Why Rules on This Subject May Be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Due to recent changes in the state Liquor Control Board’s rules for the special…
NASA’s ‘Mohawk Guy’ advocates ‘audacious,’ creative engineering
Bobak Ferdowsi, a NASA flight engineer who became known as “Mohawk Guy” after sporting a mohawk hairstyle during the 2012 rover Curiosity’s landing on Mars, spoke to a class of University of Washington aeronautics and astronautics engineering students on Feb. 19. Ferdowsi was a student in the department and graduated from the UW in 2001.
Tag(s): Bobak Ferdowsi • College of Engineering • Department of Aeronautics & AstronauticsFebruary 19, 2014
Arts Roundup: Drama, music — and the Dance Majors Concert
As we reach the final stretch of February, drama music and dance round out this week in the arts.
Tag(s): School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Drama • School of Music
Seminar will celebrate courageous UW alum Gordon Hirabayashi
The Presidential Medal of Freedom bestowed posthumously on UW alum Gordon K. Hirabayashi will come to the UW on Feb. 22 in an afternoon-long seminar and celebration of the man and his legacy.
Tag(s): Gordon K. Hirabayashi • UW Libraries
UW President Young comments on passage of Real Hope Act
The vote Feb. 18 “was a vote of confidence in students and their importance to the future of our state,” UW president said.
Tag(s): Michael K. YoungFebruary 18, 2014
Personal stories behind Exxon Valdez spill in book ‘Red light to Starboard’
Angela Day, UW doctoral student in political science, discusses her book, “Red Light to Starboard: Recalling the Exxon Valdez Disaster.”
Tag(s): Angela Day • books • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Political Science • pollution
Chemistry’s Matthew Bush named Sloan fellow
UW’s Matthew Bush has been selected as one of 126 Sloan Research Fellows for 2014.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Chemistry • Matthew Bush
Anti-kickback, Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Regulations
Anti-Kickback, Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Regulations Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR 52.203-7) require the University to implement procedures designed to prevent and detect violations of the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 (41 USC 51-58). This is published as a reminder of the policies and procedures in place at the University of Washington 1. Kickback Defined. “Kickback”…
Embarking on geoengineering, then stopping, would speed up global warming
Carrying out geoengineering for several decades and then stopping would cause warming at a rate more than double that expected due to global warming.
Tag(s): climate change • College of the Environment • David Battisti • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • geoengineeringFebruary 14, 2014
UW helps protect $30 million to $40 million in U.S. wood exports to Japan
A recently introduced homebuilding subsidy program in Japan put logs and lumber imported from the U.S. and other countries at a competitive disadvantage.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Ivan Eastin • School of Environmental and Forest SciencesFebruary 12, 2014
Arts Roundup: Music, art — and ‘Short Takes on Dam(n) Science’
Music and museums lead this week in the arts as Ludovic Morlot, Seattle Symphony music director, joins the University Symphony for a special Valentine’s Day performance.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • School of Music
Jake Rosenfeld explores the sharp decline of union membership, influence
Jake Rosenfeld, a University of Washington associate professor of sociology, examines the far-reaching economic and social consequences of the decline of organized labor in his new book, “What Unions No Longer Do.”
Tag(s): books • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Sociology • Jake Rosenfeld • Q&AFebruary 11, 2014
UW tied for second in number of Peace Corps volunteers
The University of Washington this year tied for second among large universities in the number of Peace Corps volunteers.
Tag(s): Peace Corps
Washington housing market uneven in fourth quarter 2013
Washington state’s housing market softened in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the quarter before, but remained stronger than a year ago, according to the UW’s Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies.
Tag(s): College of Built Environments • Glenn Crellin • Runstad Department of Real Estate
Data on today’s youth reveal childhood clues for later risk of STDs
Findings from UW longitudinal surveys of nearly 2,000 participants suggest that efforts to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases should begin years before most people start having sex.
Tag(s): School of Social Work • Social Development Research GroupFebruary 10, 2014
News Digest: Rideshare treats, state fourth in exonerations, husky green nominations
Care packages offered this week to carpoolers, vanpoolers || Washington state fourth in exonerations nationwide || Husky Green Award nominations sought through March 10
Newly found tactics in offense-defense struggle with hepatitis C virus
People who are genetically equipped to stop hepatitis C viruses from turning off a type of interferon generally have a robust antiviral response. Findings on the mechanisms governing this ability suggest new avenues for treatment research.
Tag(s): Department of Immunology • genetics & DNA • microbes and viruses • Ram SavanFebruary 8, 2014
UW among 19 campuses – out of 1,700 – getting nod for access, affordability, success
Only 19 universities – including the University of Washington– met the bar for access, affordability and student success set by the Center on Higher Education Reform.
Tag(s): Ana Mari Cauce • Provost OfficeFebruary 7, 2014
Board of Regents — Feb. 13 Meeting Announcement
The Board of Regents will hold a Regular Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 12:15 p.m. in the Petersen Room of the Allen Library. The full agenda is available online.
Use humans in your UW research? More info on the new forms you need
The Human Subjects Division has updated and streamlined its forms, which should bring some administrative relief to UW researchers involved in the university’s 6,000 active studies using human subjects.
Tag(s): Human Subjects DivisionFebruary 6, 2014
UW’s James Riley elected to National Academy of Engineering
James Riley, a University of Washington professor of mechanical engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Election to the academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Mechanical Engineering • James Riley
Documents that Changed the World: The Book of Mormon
Joe Janes of the UW Information School discusses the famous book and its origin as part of his ongoing podcast series, “Documents that Changed the World.”
Tag(s): Documents that Changed the World • Information School • Joe Janes
Credit card-sized device could analyze biopsy, help diagnose pancreatic cancer in minutes
University of Washington scientists and engineers are developing a low-cost device that could help pathologists diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier and faster. The prototype can perform the basic steps for processing a biopsy, relying on fluid transport instead of human hands to process the tissue.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Eric Seibel • Ronnie DasFebruary 5, 2014
Arts Roundup: Exhibits, lectures — and the Mallethead Series
It’s a packed week in the arts presenting you with a diverse array of options. The Henry Art Gallery presents “Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders” through May 4; the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture hosts a trivia night at the College Inn Pub and don’t miss the final weekend of “Reading to Vegetables” at the Penthouse Theater.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Drama • School of Music
Public lecture series will explore the science of decision making
The ninth annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lecture Series will delve into “The Science of Decision Making,” to explain how the brain and an individual’s expectations influence decisions made in uncertain conditions.
Tag(s): Chantel Prat • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Psychology • Jeansok Kim • Susan JoslynFebruary 4, 2014
News Digest: Campuswide big-data event, Paws-on Science deadline, Green Seed Fund awards
UW president, provost headline campus-wide data science event Friday || Participant deadline Feb. 14 for Paws-on Science || Green Seed Fund awards $279,000 to initial slate of projects
Does caregiving cause psychological stress? Study says, it depends
The results break the longstanding belief that caregiving directly causes psychological distress, and make a case for genetics and upbringing influencing vulnerability.
Tag(s): Peter Vitaliano
Fruit flies – fermented-fruit connoisseurs – are relentless party crashers
That fruit fly appearing moments after you poured that first glass of cabernet, has just used a poppy-seed-sized brain to conduct a finely-choreographed search and arrive in time for happy hour.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Michael Dickinson
Personal experience, work seniority improve mental health professionals’ outlook
One might think that after years on the job, mental health workers would harbor negative attitudes about mental illness, but a new UW study suggests the opposite.
Tag(s): School of Social Work« Previous Page Next Page »
